Don't remember which forum I put it in but I have made a few posts recently about my roosters tearing up the backs of almost all my hens. I had 2roosters, One was an older roo and he started the trend. Then when the young'un came of age he added his 2 cents in. I wrote about wanting to get rid of them and eventually they became chicken stew.
Mrs. Lobo had noticed our eggs seemed to be getting smaller as time went on and she was somewhat right. But I attributed it to be, #1 the hens are getting older, They are close to 4 yrs old now, & #2 It's friggin hot out there right now! I think that may be some of the problem too.
The girls now have a new suitor. The next door neighbor has chickens who free range. Only a 5' chain link fence separates us. He has about 10 hens and 2 roosters. One is a huge Whatchamacallit and the other is a smaller, younger Bantam lookin bird. Our girls are locked up @ night inside a coop in a secure run. This little roo comes over every morning soon after we let the girls out and goes home in the evening when they go to bed. Eggs are gettin fertilized ans Mrs. Lobo swears the eggs are gettin bigger now. So it's a win-win for me and the roo!
PS: Early this spring, before he started his daily visits, I saw this same little rascal attack a hawk which had landed in the neighbors back yard, about 50' from neighbors chicken pen. Snuck up from behind and jumped on 'em. You go little guy!
Mrs. Lobo had noticed our eggs seemed to be getting smaller as time went on and she was somewhat right. But I attributed it to be, #1 the hens are getting older, They are close to 4 yrs old now, & #2 It's friggin hot out there right now! I think that may be some of the problem too.
The girls now have a new suitor. The next door neighbor has chickens who free range. Only a 5' chain link fence separates us. He has about 10 hens and 2 roosters. One is a huge Whatchamacallit and the other is a smaller, younger Bantam lookin bird. Our girls are locked up @ night inside a coop in a secure run. This little roo comes over every morning soon after we let the girls out and goes home in the evening when they go to bed. Eggs are gettin fertilized ans Mrs. Lobo swears the eggs are gettin bigger now. So it's a win-win for me and the roo!
PS: Early this spring, before he started his daily visits, I saw this same little rascal attack a hawk which had landed in the neighbors back yard, about 50' from neighbors chicken pen. Snuck up from behind and jumped on 'em. You go little guy!
